On May 31 GRAMMY-winning artist Colbie Caillat joined David R. Sears, Senior Director of the GRAMMY Foundation, to present Los Angeles-based Santee Education Complex with the GRAMMY Foundation's 2011 GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award, which recognizes efforts made by schools that are economically underserved. Prior to the presentation, Caillat congratulated the students on their achievements and spoke about how music education has benefited her career.

"I'm very proud of you guys and I hope you're excited for what's to come of your music careers," said Caillat. "Learning how to play an instrument when I was younger meant the world to me and led me to be a songwriter, so I encourage that in all of you. I know you can do it."

Santee Education Complex was awarded $5,500 by the GRAMMY Foundation in support of its music program, and the presentation was followed by a performance by the school's music program students.

Created in 1998, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that make an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year. The GRAMMY Signature Schools program is supported in part by Best Buy, Campbell's Labels for Education program, Ford Motor Company Fund, Gibson Foundation, and Hot Topic Foundation.

GRAMMY APPS AVAILABLE NOW

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of The Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for The Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by The Recording Academy. BELIEVE IN MUSIC is a trademark and/or registered trademark of National Association of Music Merchants, Inc. Used under license.